Having followed Smart’s journey throughout his career, Justice and his mother have become accustomed to enjoying the star’s tenacious, hard-nosed, no-nonsense type of approach on the court. Now, as the mother and child get to know Smart more closely, they have also become impressed with his gentle, loving personality.

“He’s a beast on the court, but let’s be honest, Marcus is a total Carebear off the court,” Brooks said. “He has a pure heart. He’s a very nice, respectable young man. And, you know, to me, he’s an emotional person. He has that balance. He can be passionate, and he can be strong. I was very impressed by him, by being an athlete of his stature, how just humble he was and genuine. And when you’re around him, he’s just like an everyday person.”

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